Kolkata: Harsha Bhogle is likely to return to the studios for the upcoming tenth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL), Sony Pictures Networks said that the noted commentator and presenter might not be seen at the venues but should be available to speak in his mind in “IPL Extra Innings” the pre and post match shows ahead of every game.
If Bhogle does feature in the IPL, it will be his comeback after a one-year hiatus after his comments in the box wasn’t well received by some members of the Indian cricket team and officials within the BCCI.
“We have used him in earlier years. He used to work with BCCI world feed commentary. Last year, he was not there but previous years he was part of BCCI,” India’s executive vice president and business head, Sports cluster, Prasana Krishnan said on Tuesday.
“The way it works is, the main english commentary is produced by BCCI from the venue. Other languages and extra innings studio we do a separate broadcast. So obviously because of the travel, logistics and different venues etc, it’s very difficult for a person who is there on field to be available in studios for too many days.
“Harsha used to be with us in studios also for sometime. This year we are hoping he will be back. It’s not fair for me to make a definitive comment but he will be part of the team. There are no hurdles, just a few formalities,” Krishnan confirmed.
BCCI, he said, does not have any problem if Bhogle is brought on board.
“They don’t have an objection in bringing Harsha.”
Krishnan added that cricketer-turned-politician and popular commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu, who was inducted as a cabinet minister in the new Congress government in Punjab headed by chief minister Amarinder Singh recently, might not be available this time.
“Sidhu’s availability is still doubtful. He will not be available for as many days as he was last year. That’s for sure. It’s now entirely on his hands how he will make time.”